Steven Pressman : Thomas Piketty’s changing views on inequality

2020/07/02 wwchu 反思經濟學

real-world economics review, issue no. 92, 103-115, 2020/6/29

This issue: The Inequality Crisis, http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue92/whole92.pdf

http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue92/Pressman92.pdf

Despite these similarities (of his two books), there are many changes. Gone are r>g and any analysis of inequality that rests on neoclassical economic theory. Capital and Ideology contains a different perspective on the causes of inequality. As its title proclaims, it is our beliefs that are crucial. Piketty undertakes a broad sweep of history to argue that the degree of inequality we get depends on how people see inequality and that this varies from time to time and from place to place. A progressive ideology, leading to greater equality during the 20th century, ran out of steam by the end of the century. It was replaced by the view that markets increase human well-being. There is also a new policy proposal – broader representation on corporate boards.

This paper examines Piketty’s changing views on the causes of inequality and the policy solutions needed to remedy the problem.